Antiviral Activity of SIO2–Polyphenol Composites Prepared Mechanochemically from Plant Raw Materials

Inhibitory activity of aqueous extracts of tea compositions, individual ingredients for their preparation and some plants against replication of Herpes simplex virus type 2 <i>in vitro</i>

Aim. In vitro analysis of the inhibitory activity of aqueous extracts of tea compositions, plant raw materials and as well as plants from different families against replication of Herpes simplex virus type 2.

Material and Methods. The viral strain MS of HSV‐2 was passivated on Vero cell culture. Antiviral (inhibitory) activity of aqueous extracts was studied in vitro according to the classical scheme of neutralization (inactivation) of the virus.

Results. For comparison we used control samples of aqueous extracts of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) and grass of Alchemilla vulgaris L. with EC50 equal to 21.36±3.92 and 39.67±8.75 µg/ml (for dry raw materials) versus 103  PFU/ml HSV‐2. As a result the prevailing activity (from 15.25±3.92 to 1.71±0.54 µg/ml) was identified for extracts of tea compositions based on black and green tea, as well as individual ingredients for their composition – black tea, leaves of Mentha piperita L.,  flowers  of  Lavandula  angustifolia  Mill. and  clove  spices  (Syzygium aromaticum L.). Extracts obtained from plants that are not part of tea compositions of interest are fermented leaves of Epilobium angustifolium L. (Onagraceae) and grass of two species Euphorbia (E. pilosa L. and E. esula  L.,  Euphorbiaceae)  with  inhibitory  activity  at  concentrations  of 10.675±1.96; 2.29±0.57 and 1.71±0.54 µg/ml, respectively.

Conclusion. The results presented can become the basis for the search for individual biologically active substances of plant origin that inhibit HSV‐2 replication as well as for the development of effective medicines in the form of tea beverages and/or formulations for topical use to reduce relapses of chronic herpes.

Cellular miR-101-1 Reduces Efficiently the Replication of HSV-1 in HeLa Cells

INTRODUCTION

Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are widely distributed in the human population. HSV type 1 (HSV-1) is responsible for a spectrum of diseases, ranging from gingivostomatitis to keratoconjunctivitis, and encephalitis. The HSVs establish latent infections in nerve cells, and recurrences are common. Their frequent reactivation in elderly and immunosuppressed patients causes serious health complications.

OBJECTIVES

Due to the growing resistance to its main drug, acyclovir, alternative treatments with different mechanisms of action are required. MicroRNAs regulate host and viral gene expression posttranscriptionally. Previous studies reported that mir-101-2 expression has widely participated in the regulation of HSV-1 replication. In this study, we investigate the effect of hsa-miR-101-1 in the replication of HSV-1.

METHODS

We found that transfection of miR-101-1 into HeLa cells could reduce effectively HSV-1 replication using plaque assay and real-time PCR methods.

RESULTS

We showed that overexpression of miR-10-1 produced less viral progeny and manifested a weaker cytopathic effect, without affecting cell viability.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

This result can give us new insights into the control of HSV-1 infections.